Today the UK Prime Minister instigated Article 50 which marks the beginning of the UK’s departure from the EU. Media have announced today as a ‘momentous day in Britain’s modern history’, with remnants of the bitter referendum campaign visible as each outlet published their take on the process, trending as #BrexitDay.
In the HE sector, Universities UK’s President Dame Goodfellow published a statement in which she appealed to Government, saying they ‘must ensure that the UK remains welcoming to EU students and staff and that we can continue to access valuable and collaborative European research networks’.
Meanwhile, in an open letter, the Russell Group sent a clear message to European citizens based at HEIs across the UK:
Students, lecturers, researchers and professional services staff from across Europe have helped make our higher education sector a world leader. We value your contribution to our universities and the UK. We want you and your families to stay after the UK leaves the EU and are working to ensure you have the right to do so.
The group urged the ‘Prime Minister to guarantee that EU citizens living and working in the UK will be able to stay and the rights they have at present’ be respected.
At present there are 125,000 EU students enrolled in UK universities, with 17 per cent of academic staff from the EU.
Today, The Independent reported that due to the complexity of leaving the EU, the PM ‘admitted freedom of movement could continue in some form after Britain has officially left the EU’. However, the PM continues to avoid any opportunity to offer assurances to the status of EU citizens in the UK until – presumably – EU member-states reciprocate the gesture by providing rights for British citizens currently residing in various countries within the EU.